Military Gists

NAF AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT

2025 NAF Appropriation Indicates Approval For A NEW Batch Of 6 T129 ATAK Helicopters

Troops in Katsina State repelled a bandit attack in Mahuta Village, Dandume LGA, and rescued Lower Sharia Court Judge Mr. Rabiu Tukur after six residents were abducted on April 8, 2025. The attack occurred around 11:55 p.m., with armed bandits kidnapping six individuals, including the 49-year-old judge. Security sources reported that troops engaged the bandits in a fierce confrontation, successfully rescuing Mr. Tukur unharmed. Efforts to locate and rescue the remaining five victims are ongoing, with intensified search operations in the area.

On April 7, 2025, the Nigeria Police Force marked a historic milestone with the successful commemoration of its first-ever National Police Day. The grand celebration took place at Eagle Square in Abuja, bringing together officers, dignitaries, and citizens to honor the force's contributions to national security. The event highlighted the police's dedication to maintaining law and order, featuring parades, speeches, and tributes to fallen heroes. This inaugural National Police Day underscores the force's commitment to fostering public trust and unity across Nigeria.

Lakurawa Bandits Attack Village in Sokoto, Rustle Livestock

By: Zagazola Makama

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed an attack by suspected Lakurawa bandits on Takkau Village in Gongono District of Tangaza Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred on April 7, 2025, at about 11:30 a.m., involved about thirty armed bandits who stormed the village on motorcycles, shooting sporadically into the air to cause panic among residents. The villagers fled for safety, leaving behind their homes and domestic animals.

The hoodlums made away with an unspecified number of livestock during the raid.

A joint team of security forces responded swiftly to the distress call and conducted a search-and-rescue operation in the area.

During the operation, some of the stolen animals were recovered, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Police in Katsina State rescued two kidnap victims, Hafsat Amadu and Musa Sani, after a gun battle with bandits in Malumfashi. The bandits had abducted the pair from Gidan Filoti and Gidan Mairabo villages. Led by the Malumfashi DPO, a joint security team confronted the bandits at their Burdugau hideout, forcing them to flee injured and abandon the captives. The unharmed victims were reunited with their families.

CG's SIS DISCOVERED AN ILLEGALLY CONNECTED VALVES TO CRUDE OIL TRUNK LINE CONNECTED BY BUNKERERS AND USED FOR SIPHONING CRUDE OIL AT THE PIPELINE OF UMUOELECHI CREEKS, ABIA STATE

NAF Touches Young Lives in Katsina

In a remarkable show of commitment to community development, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has renovated a classroom and donated essential learning materials to pupils of Kurhundu Primary School, Katsina.

This initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar. Working with this vision the ACC, Air Commodore Ibrahim Garba Jibia under Operation FANSAN YANMA, has strengthened Civil-Military Relations through impactful, non-kinetic engagements.

The Katsina State Government, inspired by NAF's intervention, has also renovated another classroom and approved the construction of a new one proof that when we uplift communities, we build a stronger nation together.

The Nigerien Army arrested a suspected senior JNIM commander in the Tillabéri region, recovering cash, weapons, and logistics items intended for terrorist operations. The suspect was intercepted on April 3 at 6:30 p.m. on the Torodi–Niamey route, with a search revealing a firearm, mobile phones, and 5,032,900 CFA francs. Further investigation uncovered a garden in Boborgou used as a logistical base, containing food, airtime credit, clothing, and camouflage fabric. A nearby school held a stockpile of pasta for active terrorists. The suspect is also linked to a vehicle hijacking on April 2 between Makalondi and Niaktiré. Security operations continue to dismantle terrorist networks and restore stability in the region.

Drone Warfare: Nigeria’s Adoption of UAVs in Counterterrorism Operations

Nigeria’s adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in counterterrorism operations has marked a significant shift in its military strategy, particularly in combating Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast. As of April 5, 2025, the Nigerian Armed Forces have increasingly integrated drones to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes, though challenges like civilian casualties and insurgent adaptations persist.

Adoption and Deployment
Nigeria began incorporating UAVs into its military operations over a decade ago, with the Nigerian Air Force acquiring Chinese-made CH-3 drones around 2014. By 2020, the fleet expanded to include CH-4 and Wing Loong UAVs, used for surveillance and combat. The 2022 acquisition of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones further bolstered capabilities, offering advanced targeting systems. In April 2025, Nigeria unveiled its first indigenous attack drones in Abuja, developed with Briech UAS, a milestone hailed by General Christopher Musa as a “game-changer” for national security, according to reports from Vanguard and Premium Times. These drones, designed for precision strikes, aim to reduce reliance on foreign technology.

Operationally, UAVs have been pivotal in the northeast. Airstrikes using A-29 Super Tucanos and drones have targeted Boko Haram and ISWAP hideouts, such as the January 2025 operation in Borno that neutralized key commanders. The military also employs drones for maritime surveillance in the Niger Delta, combating oil theft, and in the northwest against bandits, as noted in a 2024 study in the Journal of Engineering Research and Reports.

Successes
Drones have enhanced Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts by providing real-time intelligence and reducing risks to troops. The 2024 Operation Lake Sanity II, involving the Multinational Joint Task Force, used UAVs to kill 140 insurgents and arrest 57, disrupting ISWAP’s logistics in the Lake Chad Basin. Drones have also improved border monitoring, with the Nigerian Navy deploying AR-500B UAVs since 2022 for maritime security.

# # # # Challenges
Despite successes, drone warfare in Nigeria faces significant hurdles. Insurgents have adapted, using commercial drones for surveillance and attacks. ISWAP’s December 2024 assault on a base in Wajiroko, using grenade-strapped drones, injured five soldiers, marking a tactical escalation. This prompted Nigeria to adopt Lithuanian EDM4S SkyWiper counter-UAV systems in 2025, as reported by Military Africa, to neutralize such threats.

Civilian casualties remain a critical issue. A December 2024 airstrike in Kaduna, intended for bandits, killed over 120 civilians, drawing widespread criticism. Drone Wars UK reported that nearly 1,000 civilians have died in African drone strikes since 2021, highlighting the need for better targeting precision. Ethical concerns also arise, with limited transparency in drone operations fueling public distrust, as noted in a 2024 study in The American Journal of Engineering and Technology.

Future Outlook
Nigeria’s investment in indigenous drone technology signals a push for self-reliance, but success hinges on addressing operational and ethical challenges. Improved intelligence, stricter oversight, and counter-drone measures are essential to balance effectiveness with civilian safety in this evolving theater of warfare.